will.i.am: 'Jackson recorded dance album'

The Black Eyed Peas star spent almost a year working on new material with Jackson before the Thriller hitmaker's death on Thursday (25Jun09).

The rapper, who played a set dedicated to the King of Pop at Britain's Glastonbury festival on Sunday (28Jun09), reveals Jackson was experimenting with a new style on the disc.

He says, "It was going to be out of this world. It's something Michael has never done before - a dance music album. I was very proud of it. But he was very protective and kept it under lock and key. After he made it I had to hand back every demo. He was a perfectionist and didn't want anyone to hear it until it was ready."

The music producer struck up a close relationship with Jackson and spoke to him shortly before he died. He adds, "The last time I spoke to Michael was on Father's Day. He called me to wish me happy Father's Day even though I don't have any children. He said, 'I just wanted to call and say have a good day anyway'. I told him, 'OK, I will grab my crotch and wish myself Happy Father's Day for all my unborn children'. He laughed and said, 'You're so funny'.

"I tried calling him last week but he was always in rehearsals. It's so sad. He was my friend and the biggest inspiration of my life. I'm going to miss him."